Deputy Director, Programs and Operations, Office for the Arts

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans

Campus perks

Job summary

Harvard University’s Office for the Arts (OFA) seeks a Deputy Director, Programs and Operations to lead program strategy, facilities, and resource allocation. The role oversees programs and student services, budget, HR, and partnerships across College, FAS, and IT to deliver high-quality arts programs university-wide.

Reporting to the OFA Director, this position emphasizes strategic leadership, fiscal stewardship, staff development, and collaborative problem solving to support student artists

Qualifications

• Master's degree required; additional qualifications in arts management are a plus.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in operations leadership within a large organization.
• Senior level management experience in arts, higher education, or nonprofit sectors.
• Strong knowledge of facilities planning, budgeting, and HR processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead OFA programs and operations strategy across arts disciplines.
• Oversee space, facilities planning, and resource allocation.
• Partner with college, FAS, and IT to support programs.
• Represent OFA in committees and senior leadership discussions.

Skills

Operations leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Project management

Facilities planning

Staff supervision

Education

Master's degree

Non-profit or educational setting experience

Tools

Facilities management software

HR systems

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community thatadvances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways,inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills andexpertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcomingenvironment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart ofHarvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduateprogram (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all ofHarvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin GraduateSchool of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athleticsand the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academicdepartments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a communityunparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest rangeof liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeksto foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and sharedcommitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from allmembers of our community and prepares the next generation ofleaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Deputy Director, Programs and Operations, is the senior leaderfor program strategy and operations, facilities, and resourceallocation within the OFA. Reporting to the Director of the OFA,this role oversees programs and student services, ensures effectiveuse of OFA spaces and facilities, advises on budget and HR, andserves as a key administrative and strategic partner. The Directorof Program Operations works closely with program leaders to planand deliver high-quality arts programs and services; addressoperational and programmatic challenges; allocate staffing, space,and technology resources; and represent OFA programs across theCollege. The role ensures that OFA programs remain vibrant,adaptive, and student-centered while operating efficiently and inalignment with university policies and priorities. The Director ofProgram Operations is a member of the OFA senior leadership teamand serves as an active co-leader in the Director’s absence.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Program Leadership (40%)

• Lead and support OFA programs and program leaders acrossperforming and visual arts and arts services.
• Advise on strategy, planning, and problem-solving.
• Ensure programs and student services are high quality,innovative, inclusive, and accessible to student artists frombeginners to advanced practitioners.
• Reduce operational barriers and create conditions that enablethe success of program leaders and student initiatives.
• Help oversee and project manage new strategic programinitiatives and priorities as assigned by the OFA Director.
• Attend OFA and student arts events to understand and supportstudent art-making across campus.
• Oversee strategy and support to activate arts programs andspaces within the campus’ residential life system.
• Advise and support student arts and cultural organizations onprogram development, member retention, fundraising, compliance,touring, and succession planning.
• Project manages special initiatives, outside of specificprograms, as assigned by OFA Director.

Resource Management (50%)

• Oversee OFA space and facilities planning and usage.
• Support appropriate risk management, safety, accessibility, andoperational continuity practices across OFA programs andfacilities.
• Partner with College and FAS offices on renovations,relocations, and other facility projects.
• Partner with OFA and College leadership and FAS federated workstreams to identify and meet arts-based resource needs and to shaperesource planning and prioritization aligned with strategic andprogrammatic goals. Oversee and allocate workflow to federatedpositions (such as IT and finance).
• Serve as primary OFA client manager for technology operations,partnering with HUIT and internal IT staff to support programs,communications, and administrative needs.
• Promote process and systems improvements that enhancecollaboration, efficiency, and user experience across OFAunits.
• Provide guidance to Programs and OFA Director on program-levelbudgets, forecasting and financial performance, ensuringresponsible use of funds and alignment with program goals.
• Advise OFA Director on fund allocation, budgeting, andfundraising.
• Ensure consistency and compliance in HR, operations, andfinancial policies and procedures in collaboration with financestaff and FAS/College partners, including effective use ofrestricted and current-use funds.
• Coach managers on employee relations issues and supportinitiatives that promote staff morale, professional development,and team cohesion.

Strategic Leadership (10%)

• Serve as a member of the OFA senior leadership team; advise theDirector on organization-wide strategy, planning, and policy.
• Serve as an active co-leader in the Director’s absence andrepresent the OFA on College, FAS, and University committees andworking groups.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the OFA Director.

Working Conditions

The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs and objectives and consistent with College Policy, which requires 5 days on-site in Cambridge, MA during term time (first day of classes through commencement), with the exception of student breaks. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts .Additional details about the College policy will be discussedduring the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Master or equivalent degree.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience managing operations in a largeor complex organization.
• Senior-level management experience in an arts organization oreducational setting.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Broad knowledge of the arts, with deep knowledge in at leastone artistic discipline.
• Masters Degree a plus.
• University or non-profit experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in facilities/space planning andoperations, including work with multiple institutionalstakeholders.
• Strong project management, organizational, and process designskills; proven ability to lead complex, cross-functionalprojects.
• Experience supervising staff with diverse skill sets andresponsibilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to makesound decisions in a complex environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability tocommunicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies andtranslate technical or policy information for non-experts.
• Demonstrated commitment to community building and viewpointdiversity and familiarity with best practices in these areas.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, manage change, andexercise sound judgment and political acumen.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University isunable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education.

Other Information:

The Office for the Arts at Harvard (OFA) cultivates a vibrantecosystem for artmaking, empowering students to live creative andmeaningful lives, regardless of experience or career path. Throughits programs and services, the OFA mentors and teaches, supportsstudent-led art, connects students with accomplished artists,commissions new works, and forges partnerships across local,national, and global communities. By nurturing students as artistsand cultural leaders, the OFA affirms the arts as essential to aHarvard education and champions creativity as a force that enrichessociety and strengthens the communities we share.

Work Format Details

this position has been determined by school or unit leaders thatsome of the duties and responsibilities can be effectivelyperformed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and locationwill be set by the department at its discretion and based uponoperational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions mustwork in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts .Additional details will be discussed during the interview process.Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location.Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements priorto employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage startingon day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuitionassistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.